Notice the itinerary has the Classes posted and instead of Normandy on October 2-4, we now have Mont St. Michel and Trouville. FLIGHT INFORMATION will be distributed by e-mail.
The starting point for classes (and more) is the web:
http://www.westmont.edu/~fisk/CLASSES/EuropeSemesterHomePage.html
Here you’ll find links to the syllabus and summer assignments as well as our itinerary, the very latest announcements, an “ask the experts” option for your questions, and much more. Bookmark it, spend time browsing, and be sure to return at least once a week.
Suitcase: Absolutely CANNOT be any bigger than 26” by 18” by 10” and should have sturdy wheels and a built in handle. A Combination padlock and a sturdy name tag showing last name and 1st initial only are good ideas. Besides 1 suitcase to check, you are allowed one carry-on measuring no more than 9” by 13” by 23” and one personal item. A small purse that can be concealed might come in handy for the girls for going out on short excursions. A guitar cannot go as a carry-on and will need to be checked. Needs sturdy case.
Clothing: Expect highs and lows much like Santa Barbara for most of the trip, but be prepared for some rain along the way. The Austrian Alps in November might have snow but you can layer your clothes and buy some gloves along the way. Pack light…4 pants, 2 skirts-girls, 10-12 shirts, guys a dress shirt & tie, one medium weight sweater, rain jacket & umbrella, enough socks & underwear to last 2 weeks, sleepwear, something (besides your towel) to go down the hall from shower to room. (Many hotels will have bathrooms in the room, but not all.) Bring a swim-suit, 2 pair shoes (good for walking and something for dress up).
Other items: You will have to bring a traveling towel (or shamie), your own medicines, (Sudafed, Tylenol, Imodium, Pepto Bismal) vitamin C, multiple vitamins. Toiletries should be in small quantities (buy more over there—split refills with a friend), small flashlight, travel alarm clock, various sizes zip lock bags (use one for dirty underwear), diary/journal notebook, water bottle (with built-in filter is optional), blow-up neck pillow (optional). Hair dryers are provided in many of our hotels but not all. Make sure yours can be switched to 110 or 220 voltage, and bring necessary adaptors for foreign outlets. Walkmans, cards or travel games will pass time on the bus (all optional). Camera and film are a must as are your textbooks and a Bible. We recommend you pick a buddy to share books with so you don’t have to each bring them all. (Let us know if you’re looking for a buddy and we’ll try and hook you up.) Laundry soap (powder) or detergent in packets or a tube of laundry concentrate will be handy to wash out something in the hotel sink. Some cities will have handy laundry facilities, some will not. A line to dry something on is handy and you’ll need a sink stopper to keep water in the sink for shaving and hand washing.
Neck Pouch: One will be issued to you…or you can get one from Monica in the Off Campus Programs Office. It should be worn at all times…out of sight but still accessible. Neck pouch will contain: Passport, Airline Tickets, Westmont ATM card, money, Kwikpoint card, WWA card (World Wide Assistance) for emergencies, international phone calling card. An International Student ID card--$22.00 is good for discounted admission fees to places you might choose to go to beyond those covered by the trip (ask Monica for a form to fill out and she can issue the card to you). All these important items will not be safe anywhere else but on your person. Paulette had a zippered “Hidden Pocket” pinned to the inside of her waist band-- hanging inside her skirt that looked very handy and easy to wear. The pouches we have can be worn around the waist, too, but must be inside the pants…out of sight. Travel stores carry a variety of pouches if you don’t like the one we have. Magellans and Pacific Traveler Supply are both great stores in Santa Barbara but don’t get too carried away on all their fancy stuff!.
Photo Copy All Important Documents: You can put important stuff in your suitcase in a zip locked bag such as: your 2 extra Passport pictures (these are in addition to the 2 you needed to mail in to get your Passport), a copy of your passport (Monica and your parents also need a copy). Also in this bag will go a copy of your corrective eyewear prescription and a copy of your medical prescription if you have any (along with a note from your doctor if you will be taking any prescription meds, explaining why you need that medicine). See the yellow “Medications for Europe” sheet if you need help obtaining a 3 month supply of medicine. Also you should write down your Travelers Check numbers and your personal credit card information if you bring one in case you lose either one. Visa and Mastercard work better than Discover in Europe. You will need 2 forms of personal money in addition to your Westmont ATM card. A personal ATM card is a third option (along with travelers checks and credit cards).